Katy Perry banned from China 'indefinitely' days before Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Forget 'teenage dream', because Katy Perry is likely living out her nightmare.

The 33-year-old pop star has been banned 'indefinitely' from China, just days before her scheduled performance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Page Six reported on Thursday. The VS show is scheduled to tape live in Shanghai on Sunday.

Sources told the publication that the 'Roar' singer had tried applying for a visa to enter the conservative, communist country, but was denied by Chinese officials.

"While she initially was informed that she’d be able to gain access, the decision apparently was reversed after the government caught wind of a controversial incident from 2015, in which Perry wore a bright, glittery dress with sunflowers on it during a performance in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan," Page Six reported.

The ensemble caused intense backlash, as the sunflower has become the adopted symbol of anti-China protesters one year prior. During her performance, Katy also waived the Taiwanese flag in support.

Katy Perry caused controversy in this sunflower dress. Image: Getty

For any perspective performer, Chinese officials "comb through their social-media and press reports to see if they have done anything deemed to be offensive to the country," the Page Six source said. "Maroon 5 was banned a few years ago because one band member wished the Dalai Lama happy birthday on Twitter."

Perry has not commented publicly on the reported ban. Harry Styles has been reported as her replacement.

But Perry isn't the only super star missing the show. Model Gigi Hadid confirmed her absence on Twitter.

"I'm so bummed I won't be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!!" she wrote on Thursday.

Hadid did not give a reason and Victoria's Secret refused to comment on the issue.

"Victoria's Secret will not have a response," a spokeswoman told the Associated Press by email.

The surprise exit comes months after a video of Hadid triggered an outpouring of criticism on Chinese social networks. It showed Hadid squinting in a way that appeared to be a reference to a stereotype about Asian facial features.

Hadid responded by apologizing in September on China's popular Twitter-like microblog site, Weibo. "I have learned to be very careful of how my actions can come off or be portrayed, and I'm hopeful you'll accept my apology," the post said.

It was not immediately clear whether Hadid had been denied a visa. However, models Julia Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva and Irina Sharipova have reportedly been denied entry into China because of "offensive" social media posts.

Supermodel Adriana Lima's visa is in limbo due to a "diplomatic problem," according to Page Six.